Google SketchUp Pro bucks the trend of expensive 3D modeling software such as 3DSMax and Cinema4D and presents a free, easy to use alternative with which you can even post your creations onto Google Earth for the world to see. The latest version has been integrated with Google Maps too so that geo-tagging your creations is easier than ever.

This professional version of Google Sketchup is aimed at professionals who need CAD software that's high on power and features, and low on learning curves. It features some useful advantages over the basic version including ability to Export to CAD, add text and graphics to layouts and more advanced features.

There's a refreshing lack of technical jargon in Google SketchUp Pro and unfamiliar terms to beginners such as the 'Extrude' tool have been renamed to the more obvious 'Push/Pull' for example. There are plenty of helpful hints and guides throughout too helping you get to grips with 'snapping' when you draw rectangles, circles and other shapes. Google Sketchup Pro intelligently predicts where you want endpoints to meet and snaps them shut for you, saving lots of time messing around.

Google SketchUp Pro doesn't lack in functionality though despite its ease of use and includes all the usual collection of drawing and filling tools you'd expect, neatly accessible in the toolbar across the top of the screen. Instructor hints pop out on the right of the screen when it thinks you need them. Other options can be accessed via the menu system, or you can choose to place extra palettes on the workspace to save wading through menus. Of particular note is the 'Materials' palette, which contains over 100 different preset swatches, such as vegetation, metal and glass. The Shadow Settings palette is also worth keeping to hand, as it allows you to apply realistic shadows via simple sliders.

The real fun however is when you export your Google SketchUp Pro drawings into Google Earth. You can send images of your 3D designs via email or upload them for free storage at Google's 3D Web Warehouse. Alternatively, you can geo-tag them in one-step using Google Maps which has now been integrated into Google Sketchup Pro. You receive a snapshot when you add a geo-location to your model which now includes 3D terrain data plus color aerial imagery.

There are some problems with Google SketchUp Pro however. Most annoying is when trying to create domed surfaces because of the cumbersome nature of the Extrude tool, although pushing and pulling straight lines is considerably easier. However, the ability to export to CAD format means that anything you find tricky or difficult in Google Sketchup Pro, you can finish off in another application.

Google SketchUp Pro provides a refreshingly simple approach to 3D graphic design while providing the power and CAD format export features that professionals need.

Download Google SketchUp Pro 8.0.16846 in Softonic

Modelling software usually comes in gradients - from the insanely complicated to the insanely easy like Google's SketchUp. StarUML is one of the former and is not recommended for beginners. However, it's free and once mastered, the results are extremely professional.

The key behind StarUML is an MDA (Model Driven Architecture) module which allows users to perform incredibly complex modelling. The reason is that MDA supports many important customization variables such as UML profiles, Approach, Model Framework, NX (notation extension), MDA code and document templates.

It's also very open to plugins. The developers have understood that many modellers need to be able to integrate third party plugins and StarUML provides a remarkably simple but powerful plug-in architecture. The developers claim that with this, anyone can develop plug-in modules in COM-compatible languages such as C++, Delphi, C# and VB.

The simplest and most welcome part of the program is the Diagram overview which allows you to see at a glance the sum total of your creation before it's finished. As far as free modelling programs go, this is very powerful but you'll have to be a seasoned pro to get the hang of it plus a decent programmer to develop the plugins.

Download StarUML 5.02 in Softonic